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The Singapore national anthem, Majulah Singapura, was composed in 1958 by Zubir Said, a prolific songwriter, as the official song of the City Council of Singapore.1 After Singapore became a self-governing state under British rule on 3 June 1959, the song was shortened and refined before it was adopted as the state national anthem.2 When Singapore attained independence on 9 August 1965, Majulah Singapura then became the national anthem of the Republic of Singapore.3 Regulations on the performance of the national anthem first took effect on 30 November 1959 under the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Ordinance.4 To encourage the singing and playing of the national anthem at all events of national significance, rules on the performance of the anthem were relaxed on 1 January 2004.5

Official song of the City Council of Singapore Before Singapore gained self-governing status from the British in 1959, God Save the Queen, which is the British national anthem, was also Singapore’s national anthem.6

Majulah Singapura, the song which subsequently became Singapore’s national anthem, was originally commissioned by the City Council of Singapore in 1958.7Ong Eng Guan, who was then mayor of the city council, decided to have an official song for the council’s functions.8 He wanted it to be a stirring patriotic song based on the theme Majulah Singapura, which is Malay for “Onward Singapore”.9 Yap Yan Hong, then superintendent of the Victoria Theatre, was tasked to look for the song. Having encountered Zubir in the course of his work, Yap approached the songwriter who was known for his music compositions for Cathay-Keris’s Malay films.10

The city council officially invited Zubir to compose the song on 10 July 1958.11 He had less than two months to compose the music and lyrics, as the song was to be performed on 6 September that same year to mark the reopening of the newly renovated Victoria Theatre.12

Moved by the social and political awakening of the people at that time, Zubir felt that the song would have to capture that mood, embody the spirit of challenge and heighten the feelings of the people towards Singapore.13 He composed the music first and wrote the lyrics thereafter with advice from Muhammad Ariff Ahmad, a Malay language teacher.14 Zubir chose simple and meaningful words for the lyrics so that the song could be easily understood and sung by all races in Singapore.15

Zubir’s composition was approved by a city council committee that was specially formed to select the song.16Majulah Singapura made its debut on 6 September 1958 at a concert to celebrate the reopening of the Victoria Theatre. It was performed by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble.17

National anthemAfter Singapore attained self-government on 3 June 1959, the Legislative Assembly felt that the new State of Singapore should have its own symbols of authority and loyalty.18 A high level government committee, led by then Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye, was tasked to develop three state symbols – state national anthem, state crest and state flag (national flag of Singapore from 1965 onwards) – to give the people of Singapore a sense of identity and allow their hopes and ideals to be expressed symbolically.19

Although the City Council of Singapore was dissolved when Singapore became a self-governing state, the song Majulah Singapura was not forgotten.20 After Ong reminded Toh about Zubir and his composition for the city council, the latter agreed that Majulah Singapura was a suitable choice as the state national anthem in view of the patriotic lyrics that expressed the aspirations of the people of Singapore.21 He also felt that since not many people spoke English in Singapore at that time, a song with Malay lyrics could be easily understood and remembered, and would appeal to all races in the multi-racial society. In addition, the song had already been made popular by the city council since 1958.22

Toh, however, wanted some changes made to the song as he felt that the original version was too long and the tempo too slow.23 Zubir successfully shortened the song to half its original length.24 A number of musicians and orchestras were also involved in its refinement, including Paul Abisheganaden, conductor of the Singapore Chamber Ensemble; Dick Abel, a Filipino conductor with the Radio Singapore Orchestra; the Military Forces Band as well as the visiting Berlin Chamber Orchestra.25

By October 1959, schools were instructed by the Ministry of Education to teach Majulah Singapura to students, in anticipation of the song becoming the state national anthem.26 On 11 November, the following month, the anthem was unanimously accepted by the Legislative Assembly as a symbol of the new State of Singapore, together with the other two state symbols – the state crest and state flag.27 The three symbols were formally presented to the people of Singapore on 3 December 1959 during the launch of National Loyalty Week, following the inauguration of Singapore’s first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Malay for “Head of State”), Yusof bin Ishak, earlier in the day.28

During National Loyalty Week, a telephone service that enabled the public to dial in to listen to the anthem was made available. The service was so popular that it had to be halted temporarily at certain hours to avoid overloading the phone system.29

When Singapore became an independent nation on 9 August 1965, Majulah Singapura was then adopted as the national anthem of the Republic of Singapore.30

New version On 19 January 2001, a new official version of the national anthem was launched to replace the earlier version arranged by English composer Michael Hurd.31 A primary objective of the new arrangement was to make the anthem easier for Singaporeans to sing as many could not reach the high notes in the original version.32 In May 2000, several local composers were invited to rearrange the national anthem in F major, a lower key than the original version in G major.33Cultural Medallion recipient Phoon Yew Tien’s version, which has a grander and more inspiring arrangement, was eventually chosen.34 Recording of the new arrangement, which was performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, took place at the Victoria Concert Hall on 20 November 2000.35

Rules on performing the national anthemOn 30 November 1959, the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Ordinance took effect to regulate the performance of the national anthem.36 The objective of the regulations is to ensure that the national symbol is accorded the respect it deserves.37

How the national anthem may be usedThere are a number of rules pertaining to the performance of the national anthem, including the occasions when it can be sung or played as well as the permitted versions.38

Before 1 January 2004, the national anthem could only be broadcasted on television and radio and played during local school assemblies, official state ceremonies, National Day celebrations and when the President of Singapore received the general salute.39 To encourage the singing of the anthem at all significant celebratory or national events, rules on the performance of the anthem were relaxed on 1 January 2004.40 Since then, both public and private organisations can perform the national anthem on appropriate occasions and either the instrumental or vocal versions may be played. Besides the versions produced by the government, other rearranged versions may also be used.41 Every rearranged version, however, has to accurately reflect the complete tune and complete official lyrics of the national anthem.42

As a mark of respect, everyone must stand at attention whenever the national anthem is played or sung.43

How the national anthem cannot be used or treated While rearranged versions of the national anthem are permitted, the anthem cannot be incorporated into any other song, composition or medley.44

In addition, the anthem must be sung with the official Malay lyrics and not any translation of those lyrics.45

The information in this article is valid as at 2 September 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.